At the start of construction of the new First Christian Church, Tim Walker wrote the 16th verse of the third chapter of the book of John, which tells of the gift of God’s son to the world and promises eternal life to believers, on a piece of steel used for the building.

The Bible passage was displayed prominently on two screens Tuesday afternoon in the completed church, as a source of solace to those mourning the loss of Walker and a reminder of the Elizabethtown mayor’s deep Christian faith.